Homeless Management Information System- Data, Challenges and Solutions, Reports Melissa Mikel Quality Assurance Analyst- HMIS September 24,

2 What is HMIS Locally-administered data system used to record and analyze client, service and housing data for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It has the capacity to integrate and unduplicated data across projects in a community. Data is used to understand the size, characteristics, and needs of the homeless population at multiply levels.

3 Data Elements Basic demographics (i.e., name, DOB, SSN, Household) Disabling Conditions Residence Prior to Program Entry Housing Status Income and Source Non-Cash Benefits Financial Services Provided Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services Provided Destination

4 Challenges 108 page Data Standard Manual – who has time to read that? Poor data quality among the providers. Different definitions among providers. Report formats are easy for funders and policy makers to read; however, case managers continued to contact HMIS staff with data questions (i.e., number of clients served, services provided).

5 Solutions Data Standards Manual condensed to 12 pages. Trainings were divided into 2 parts; data collection and data entry. HMIS help desk. Modified data collection sheet. Monthly data quality reports were distributed monthly. Surprisingly the letter grade was a motivating factor for providers.

6 HMIS generated Reports Data Quality Report Annual Performance Report Client Case Plan Report Self Sufficiency Outcome Matrix